Michelin Pilot Road 3 - 10K Report

[jtpedersen]

Howdy,


Riding season's already started slowing for me a bit . Fortunately, the Michigan Squadron's 2012 Tip of the Mitt (TOTM) ride gave me some good opportunities to find more curves than usual before wrapping things up.

I have previously commented on my experiences with the Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires as fit to my Yamaha FJR1300. Thought it may be helpful to provide an update.





At this point I have 10,000 miles on the tires, both installed same time. Most of my riding is solo, commuting. Most of my mileage is logged on the highway commuting ~40 miles/leg. Tire pressures are 40F/42R.


As you can see from the images (high res version: http://bit.ly/TealH9), the tires are showing signs of wear. The front's center strip is noticeably proud relative to the shoulders which are visibly showing wear now. The rear is doing good. I had thought the rear would be toast by 10,500, but looks to be good for at least another 1,500.


For me, the ride quality--wet and dry--has been good. Comparing the cost of the tires (I paid $317 to my door) and the mileage I'm getting relative to other brands, they are certainly proving to be very cost effective.


This is the first set of tires (rear in particular) to give me more than 6-8K on a litre class bike--ever. Normally I've toasted the rear in 6-8K miles. So I just keep on adding up miles wondering when 'this' set will give out. Definitely another set in my future.


Given the front's wear now starting to show, and it 'starting' to get a bit thin in the center, I expect to replace both tires at the same time next year.


There's a lot of ambiguity involved (right-grip aggressiveness, environment, road pavement compositions, two-up, etc.) when comparing performance between riders. Even so, I will admit I find it interesting how a number of us can reach/exceed 10K on a set, while others are complaining they're toast at 5-6K. Doesn't seem to be a lot of mid-ground. Of course, I've seen similar discussions for other tires/brands in other machine forums too. So...who knows.

[ejfudd]

Great pictures. Was wondering the mileage on these, seems everyone is going for them. I seldom get 6K on my tires, usually 5K at the point of center being too thin, or profile not acceptable.

More interested if they stay "round" than total miles with our Michigan straight roads. High power traction is a concern, any sliding upon hard acceleration?

[RIDEMYST]

I put my 1st set of PR3's on my St1300.
I'm currently at 5k miles on the set and they still look very good.
If I get 10K out of this set it will equal my best mileage on a set of tires (to date that has been Avon Storms).
I'll post my mileage when I retire this set. -JEP-


Sent by using these little bitty keys on my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skyway_rider]

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com...l.bok?no=11224

I have no connection with the SBTG folks but I have found that on Michelin Tires if you buy a set together they have some of the best deals going. My own experience with tire mileage has shown me that the rate of wear is directly related to how hard I romp on the throttle. I cook of a Pilot Power rear tire in less than 2000 miles but it would probably last me 4000 or better if I accelerated like a auto traffic. My friend and MSTA member Randy Logan gets incredible mileage out of his tires but he is very smooth in his riding and though he likes to ride the curves at a spirited pace he doesn't seem to care for acceleration much....which is why his tires last so long.

[skyway_rider]

I'm going to try some PR3's on the Bandit next time around because it is getting old changing tires so often. I just hope the 3's offer good grip in the corners.

[stevegrab]

I put a set of these on my 99 Sprint ST just before going to FCR. They performed very well in the dry and wet (though we never really road in really heavy rain with lots of water on the road). I'll monitor their life into next year and try to remember to post back regarding their life relative to other tires. The bike had a set of PR2 before and they had 5000 miles when removed and still a little life left in both (but didn't want to risk them wearing out on my trip).

I may have to rethink that love of acceleration that I have, if it can greatly increase the life of my tires (rear).

PS I got mine at Chaparral for about $300 as well, no shipping or other charges just the tires.

[skyway_rider]

I'm just wondering if there is any advantage in the 3's over the 2's as I think it's the same tire, just a few additions to the sipes. I may buy the 2's unless I learn there is some advantage to the 3's as the 2's are cheaper.

[RichGrab]

I put a set on my '01 VFR before MPFB. I've put several thousand miles on them and they're great. Rode the entire way from Akron to Toledo in the rain after MPFB and no issues. At this rate, they might last me a second season. Unless I get to ride a lot more next year.

[jtpedersen]

Howdy,

No slippage to worry about. Dry pavement, nada. If I intentionally push it on wet I can get some...but only if I go looking for it.

[Rain rider]

I am running the second set of PR3's on my K1200RS, and have purchased a set for a R1100RT. They have been great tires all the way around, but they are the best wet weather tires I have ever ridden on. I tend to accelerate hard and ride aggressive in the turns I got about 7k miles before the front tire wore out on the side. The wear may have been premature because I also replaced my stock Showa shocks with Ohlins during this time for obvious reasons. What I can say is when the front started to show wear on the side, it went away very quickly. I was caught short and had to have a new tire installed at the Big Lynn Lodge ride. Otherwise, great tires.